The French Connection is a 1971 American crime thriller film directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, and Fernando Rey. It is based on the true story of the pursuit of a heroin-smuggling ring operating in France and the United States in the 1960s.
The film follows NYPD detectives Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Hackman) and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo (Scheider) as they investigate a wealthy French drug dealer named Alain Charnier (Rey) who they believe is responsible for importing large quantities of heroin into New York City. As Doyle and Russo unravel the complex web of Charnier's operations, they become increasingly obsessed with catching him, despite their superiors' skepticism.
The French Connection is famous for its gritty, realistic portrayal of police work, which includes several intense car chases and foot pursuits. It also features a memorable, improvised scene in which Doyle pursues a suspect onto an elevated train and is nearly hit by a passing subway car.
The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hackman. It is considered a classic of the crime thriller genre and has been praised for its innovative cinematography, suspenseful pacing, and realistic performances.